The Steel Guitar Forum

For some time I've been contempating if I should buy a Profex unit and thought I see what everyone thinks about using one and why. I'd like to also hear from those who used to use them and why you stopped. What is your favorite setting? I appreciate your input...
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'79 Zum; '78 Emmons; Webb Amp

Bill, I started using one a couple of years ago. I probably use it 75% of the time when I play. It had the Newman presets, and was a little hard for me to get used to. I never used more than a 5 on reverb, and most of the settings use delay, reverb, and chorus. Whoever invented chorus should be whipped. Anyway, for my Pro II, My primary setting is Fat C6th. For songs that I would want a full reverb sound, I use any of the Lloyd Green settings, or Hughey1. I hate to admit it, but 65 Emmons makes for a cool sound also. I think I use Fat Lap for a fuzz effect. I sure miss my old Boss Tone!<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Kenny Davis on 06 February 2003 at 08:39 PM.]</p></FONT>

Bill, I have used one for 7-8 years. It is simply the most for your money. I used the Larry Sasser settings for a long time. Then, I set up one or two on my own. For the last 3 months, I have used the Reverb only. I plug it right into the front of my Nash 400, so I can tweak the EQ a little. I am very pleased.

Kenny, shame on you!! Bill I use the Profex II most of the time. I started with the 65 Emmons setting and modified it by reversing the mix and outputs on the delay and reverb to eliminate overdriving a combo amp then I plug into the input on the Webb or Evans combo amp. I cut the mix back very low on the reverb and boosted the delay mix to 40%, increased the delay time to 360ms, increased the repeats to 3 audible repeats and increased the feedback to get a reinforced sound without a definite series of repeats being heard. I then tweak those settings from one song to next depending on speed and mood of song. I use this setting most all the time. When using a rack, I use the same setting on Profex II along with a
Bluetube II and StereoSteel pre/power combo and two BWs. I have found nothing better than the Profex II although it seems just about a toss up with the Transtubefex.
Jerry

I really like the Profex II, the Newman settings are fine, but I suggest that you download the manual from Peavey and try to program a few yourself. I like the LLoyd Green, Larry Sasser, Mid-E, Bright E-9, Hughey, and several other of Newman's, but I also use a few with just reverb or some reverb and a bit of delay.

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<small>Bill Moore...
my steel guitar web page</font>




<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Bill Moore on 07 February 2003 at 06:41 AM.]</p></FONT>

I like them and I have two - they're affordable and pretty dependable; I know there are 'state of the art', and correspondingly more expensive, units available, but the Profex is more than adequate for a normal gig situation.

I, too, find some of the Newman 'patches' have too much reverb and/or delay, but I've customised the ones with the EQ I like, re-grouped them in one location, and I switch around as I need to.

'Fat C6' is my favourite, too, 'though I use '65 Emmons' quite a bit. There's another I use, but I 'renamed' it, and can't for the life of me remember what it was originally called! That's about it, though, apart from one I use for the Telecaster.

Now those 127 'factory presets' are another matter entirely - ghastly!

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Roger Rettig

I guess I'm a heretic among steel players, because I use only the original factory program.

I don't know whether it's because I'm too cheap to buy an aftermarket card or that I'm just easier to please than most, but I've found that the original factory installed program on the Profex is all that I need or want.

In addition to all the guitar settings it has three steel pre-sets, of which I use only the one that has reverb and delay, but doesn't have chorus in it.

However, I do ignore recommendations and plug my Profex into the instrument jacks on the front of my amp which allows me the option of "tweaking" my amp controls when invironmental differences require it.

I don't mean to take issue with anyone's decision to use or sell those extra settings, because I think all of you guys sound great, but I guess I'm just "meat & potatoes"!
www.genejones.com

Another Question: I hope this doesn't sound too silly, but since one is using the sounds of the Profex, does it really matter what steel one uses then? I can see the difference aspects of the different steels if you are simply using your steel into an amp with maybe a Boss unit for delay/reverb, but...

Thanks everyone for educating me on the Profex thing...keep your input coming.

Howdy Bill, If I were going to use a rack system, the Pro-Fex II would be my choice for the most bang for the buck in effects. They are very affordable on this Forum and the 65 Emmons setting is really good. The down side is that a rack is needed or it gets beat-up, and racks are a pain to haul in and out.The little Boss RV-3 fits right into my pac-seat and sounds good on stage.

<SMALL>Another Question: I hope this doesn't sound too silly, but since one is using the sounds of the Profex, does it really matter what steel one uses then?</SMALL>

Bill, if this happens, I think I would be an easy and cheap hobby to play a steel. Buy a crap one and you sound like a pro.
Tone is still in the hands, and if you experience a sound that is so far dialed in with effects, it's no effect anymore, but tells you something about the ears of the programmer, or his musical taste or skills..... JJ

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Click on the pic!

I used one for about 8 years, And like Gene I used the Newman presets and was satisfied. Who am I to disagree with 126 different sounds!! I bought a Session 2000 last year just to cut down on stuff to haul around. Satisfied with it too!!!!

Moved to Electronics section of the Forum